Wondering What to Bring to Your Pet Portrait Session?
Bringing a few props to your pet photography session can be such a fun way to add personality, movement, and variety to your photos! Your pet's favorite toys, accessories, blankets, treats, and everyday items can give them something familiar to interact with while we capture them playing, exploring, cuddling, and doing what they naturally love.
Whether we're photographing your dog at the beach, hanging out at home with your cat, or exploring one of their favorite places, there are so many ways to incorporate meaningful details into your session. And don't worry, you definitely don't need to show up with a whole bag of props! Some of my favorite images are simply your pet being themselves, whether that's chasing a ball, curling up next to you, sniffing around, or giving you one of those little expressions you know so well.
The goal isn't to fill your photos with props, but to use a few of their favorite things when they can add to the experience or help bring out their personality. Here are some of my favorite pet photography props, must-have essentials, and tips for making the most of your session!
Props for Dog Portrait Sessions
When it comes to dog photography, the best props are often the things your dog already knows and loves! From their favorite toy to a well-loved blanket or even something that represents their favorite activity, these little details can help keep them engaged while giving us more opportunities for fun, playful, and natural photos. Here are some of my favorite props to consider bringing along for your dog portrait session!
Favorite Toys
If your pup has a favorite toy, bring it! This is probably one of the easiest ways to add some fun and personality to your pet photography session. Their favorite stuffed animal, ball, frisbee, rope toy, or squeaky toy can give them something to play with while I capture those candid moments. And don't worry if their favorite toy isn't exactly cute or Instagram-worthy. If it's the toy they've carried around for years and absolutely refuse to give up, that's the one I want you to bring! We can use toys to encourage your pet to run, play, fetch, tug, or simply carry something around while they explore. It can also be helpful for getting their attention when we want a classic portrait looking toward the camera.
Balls, Frisbees & Fetch Toys
For dogs who love to run, fetch can be one of the best "props" to bring to a session. A favorite tennis ball or frisbee gives us an easy way to incorporate movement into your photos. Instead of asking your dog to sit still for an entire session, we can let them do something they already love! This can lead to photos of them running toward you, jumping for their toy, shaking it around, or proudly carrying it back after a good game of fetch. These are the kinds of moments that can make a pet gallery feel playful and full of personality.
Bandanas, Bowties & Special Collars
If your pet has a cute bandana, bowtie, special collar, or personalized accessory, feel free to bring it along! A simple accessory can add a little personality to a few portraits without taking away from the natural look of your photos. Personalized bandanas (like this one if you're combining an engagement session with your pet portrait session!) can be especially cute, or you could bring a collar that has some special meaning to you. But if your pet hates wearing accessories, skip them altogether. The goal is to photograph your pet as themselves, not make them wear something they're uncomfortable in.
A Favorite Blanket
A favorite blanket can be a simple but really useful addition to a pet photography session. We can use it for cozy portraits, have your pet curl up on it, or use it as a spot for you to sit and snuggle with them. It can also be especially helpful for pets who feel more comfortable having something familiar with them in a new environment. For in-home sessions, your pet's actual favorite blanket or bed can be even better. Those everyday items are part of their story and can help make the photos feel personal to your life together.
Treats
Okay, treats aren't exactly a photography prop, but they are definitely something I recommend bringing!! Small, high-value treats (Zuke's work great!!) can be incredibly helpful during a pet photo session. We can use them to get your pet's attention, reward them for sitting or staying, encourage certain movements, or simply give them a little motivation when they need it.
Personalized & Sentimental Items
If you have something that holds special meaning to you and your pet, bring it! This could be their first collar, adoption-day tag, favorite toy from when they were a puppy, a personalized blanket, or even something that belonged to another pet you've loved. Pet photography is about more than just documenting what your pet looks like. It's about remembering who they were and the little things that made them them.
Props for Cat Photography
Since most of my cat photography sessions take place right in your home, we have the perfect opportunity to incorporate the little things your cat already loves! Their favorite toys, cozy spots, beds, blankets, and everyday routines can all become part of their photos. If you're planning ahead for your session, you can also start collecting a few fun props that fit their personality, whether that's a cute toy, personalized item, or something you know they'll want to play with. The goal is to keep things comfortable and familiar while adding little details that make their photos feel like them!
Their Favorite Toy
If your cat has a favorite toy, let's use it! Whether it's a little stuffed mouse, crinkle toy, ball, spring, or something they've carried around the house for years, their favorite toy can be a great way to get them moving and interacting during their session. We can use it to encourage them to look toward the camera, chase, pounce, bat at it, or simply carry it around. And just like with dogs, don't worry if their favorite toy isn't the cutest thing you've ever seen. If your cat loves it, it's worth using!
Feather Wands & Interactive Toys
Feather wands (my cats love these!) and other interactive toys are especially helpful for cat photography because they give us a way to capture your cat's natural hunting and playful instincts. A feather wand can encourage them to look up, reach, stretch, jump, or follow something with their eyes, which can create some really fun action photos. They can also be helpful for getting a cat's attention without forcing them to look directly at the camera. I'll often have you play with them while I photograph those little moments of curiosity and excitement!
Their Favorite Blanket or Bed
If your cat has a blanket, bed, or little spot that they absolutely love, let's photograph it! Their favorite bed can also make for some adorable cozy portraits. We can photograph them curled up, stretching, grooming, or simply relaxing in a place that already feels like them. For in-home cat photography sessions, I especially love incorporating their actual favorite spots. Their bed, couch, favorite chair, or window perch can all become part of the story.
Cat Trees, Scratching Posts & Favorite Spots
If your cat spends half their day lounging in their cat tree, watching birds from the window, or sitting on the back of the couch, those are all great places to photograph them. You don't have to move everything around your house or create a perfectly styled setup before your session. In fact, keeping some of their normal environment can make the photos feel much more personal. These little details can help tell the story of your cat's personality and what their everyday life looks like.
The Cardboard Box
Let's be honest... if your cat's favorite prop is a cardboard box, we're using the cardboard box!! It might not be the most glamorous photography prop, but if your cat immediately climbs into every box that enters your house, that's part of their personality! We can photograph them peeking over the edge, popping their head out, playing inside, or simply looking ridiculously happy in their favorite box. Sometimes the funniest and most memorable photos come from the most ordinary things.
Treats & Catnip
Treats can be helpful for cats too, especially if your cat is food motivated. Small treats (Vital Essentials have a lot of great options!) can be used to get their attention, encourage them to look in a certain direction, or reward them throughout the session. If your cat loves catnip, a favorite catnip toy can also be a fun way to encourage some playful photos. Just keep in mind that every cat reacts differently to catnip, so I wouldn't introduce it for the first time right before your session.
Something That Shows Their Personality
When you're deciding what to bring to your cat photography session, think less about what looks cute and more about what makes your cat your cat.
Maybe they have a favorite toy they carry everywhere. Maybe they sleep in the same little bed every afternoon. Maybe they're obsessed with sitting in the window and watching birds. Maybe they love climbing their cat tree. Maybe they have a very specific blanket they knead every night. Those everyday details are exactly what can make a pet photography gallery feel personal. We're not just trying to create a pretty picture of your cat. We're capturing the little things you'll want to remember about them!
Keep Your Cat Comfortable
Most importantly, don't force your cat to interact with a prop just because you have it. If they aren't interested in the feather wand, we'll try something else. If they decide they'd rather curl up in their bed than play, then we'll photograph that! If they need a break, we'll give them one! Cats have a pretty strong opinion about how they want things done, and honestly, I think that's part of the fun! The goal is to work with their personality rather than against it. The more comfortable they are, the more likely we are to capture those genuine little expressions, quirks, and playful moments that make them unique.
Pet Photography Must-Haves & Essentials
While props are completely optional, there are a few things that I do recommend bringing to almost every pet photography session! You don't need to have everything on you the entire time. Feel free to toss these into a small tote bag to keep with you during the session, or simply leave them in the car so they're nearby if we need them. Most of the time, we won't need everything, but it's always better to have them handy just in case!
Treats
This one is a must! Definitely bring your pet's favorite high-value treats! These can be super helpful for getting their attention, rewarding them throughout the session, or encouraging a specific pose or expression.
Water
Especially important for outdoor sessions or warmer days. Bring plenty of fresh water and a portable bowl so your pet can take a quick break whenever they need one. Even if we don't end up using it during the session, it's always good to have nearby!
Leash
Even if your dog is normally great off leash, bring their leash anyway. Depending on the location, there may be areas where they need to stay leashed, and we can always remove the leash from photos when appropriate. A familiar leash can also be helpful when we're moving between different spots during your session.
Poop Bags
Not glamorous, but definitely necessary!
Towel or Wipes
If we're photographing your pet somewhere like the beach, bring a towel! Even if we aren't planning on getting them wet, you never know when muddy paws, sand, or an unexpected roll in the grass might happen. Pet wipes also work great for a quick cleaning of their paws!
Tips for Keeping Your Pet Photography Session Natural!
The biggest thing to remember during your pet photo session is that your pet does not need to behave perfectly. In fact, some of the best photos happen in between the moments where they're "supposed" to be sitting still.
Let Them Explore
Give your pet a chance to sniff, walk around, and take in their surroundings when we first arrive. Letting them get comfortable can make a huge difference in how relaxed they are in front of the camera.
Don't Force Them Into a Pose
If your dog doesn't want to sit in one particular spot or your cat decides they're done with something, we'll move on! I want your photos to feel like your pet, not like we're forcing them into a pose they don't enjoy.
Use Familiar Things
Favorite toys, treats, blankets, and activities can all help your pet feel more comfortable and give them something natural to interact with.
Keep Things Moving
For dogs especially, movement can be a great way to keep their attention and create genuine expressions. We can walk, run, play, explore, or simply let them wander around while I photograph what happens naturally.
Take Breaks
If your pet needs a minute to relax, drink some water, sniff around, or take a break from the camera, we'll take one. Sometimes those little breaks end up being some of my favorite moments to photograph!
Don't Worry About Perfect Behavior
Your pet doesn't need to know every command or sit perfectly still for a beautiful gallery. We'll work with their personality, energy level, and comfort throughout the session. Whether they're calm and cuddly, wild and playful, curious about everything, or a little shy, there's a way to create photos that feel like them.
You Don't Need to Bring a Bunch of Props!
At the end of the day, you don't need to show up to your pet photography session with a giant bag of props! Some of my favorite photos are the ones where your dog is simply running through the grass, carrying their favorite toy, cuddling with you, or looking up at you with that sweet expression.
Props are simply another tool we can use to make your session more playful, personal, and interactive. They can give your pet something to do, help bring out their personality, and make the experience feel less staged and more like you're simply spending time together.
So bring their favorite toy, grab a few treats, pack that beloved blanket, and bring anything else that feels like them! And if you don't have anything you want to bring? That's completely okay too! We'll focus on creating a gallery filled with the real, goofy, sweet, playful, and completely authentic moments that make your pet so special to you.
